Sam LaPorta took a huge hit in practice earlier in the week and has missed recent practices with a hip injury after back surgery ended his prior campaign. Clouds are gathering over his Week 1 availability, but Dan Campbell downplayed the severity.
Recurring lower-body issues for Laporta puts his elite Route Participation Rate and top-tier Target Share in Detroit’s high-powered passing offense at some risk. Laporta remains a valuable asset, especially in tight end premium formats given his major role in one of the leagues most prolific offenses.
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (undisclosed) was not ...
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (herniated disc) has ...
Detroit Lions Pro Bowl tight end Sam LaPorta (back) was ...
While these sources never deliver negative news, the glowing report is encouraging. Following November back surgery that limited him to eight games in 2025, Sam LaPorta has re-established his rapport with Jared Goff as a focal point in camp. Despite playing through injury, LaPorta converted 40 receptions while establishing career marks with 12.2 Yards Per Catch and a 69-percent Receiving Success Rate.
Commanding a target on 21-percent of his routes, his interior involvement remains essential to Detroit’s offensive efficiency. Laporta is a value pick in Round 8-9 of redraft formats and a strong target in Round 7 of tight end premium formats.
Tight end Sam LaPorta was placed on injured reserve by the Detroit Lions today with a back injury. He’ll now miss at least the next four games. LaPorta has been playing well this year with 40 receptions for 489 yards and three touchdowns.
Brock Wright will see more usage but is unlikely to make much of an impact, the beneficiary of LaPorta headed to IR is most likely Jameson Williams. Williams is coming off a big game where he went for 119 yards and a score against the Washington Commanders.
Author: David Leonard Jr. (@RealDelcoDave)
Fantasy relevant players ruled out Sunday include Jayden Daniels, Terry McLaurin, Joe Burrow, Samaje Perine, Chris Godwin, Bucky Irving, Dalton Kincaid, Jaxson Dart, Darius Slayton, C.J. Stroud, Brenton Strange, Marvin Harrison, Tory Horton, Isiah Pacheco, J.K. Dobbins, Rashod Bateman, Justice Hill, and Sam LaPorta.
Per Adam Schefter
John Morton is the new OC for the Lions after the departure of Ben Johnson. Not much will change for the offense that scored the most points last season, but one new wrinkle is getting running back Jahmyr Gibbs split out wide more. “ That’s good, that’s going to be fun. I’ve been waiting on that,” stated Gibbs
Gibbs caught 104 passes in his first two seasons in the league and quickly became one of the best fantasy football producers in the game. If he gets more involvement in the passing game and has more mismatches out wide, he could break fantasy football. He will be a cheat code. While the Lions still have pass-catching options in Amon Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and Sam LaPorta, Morton seems to have one vision, and that is to make Gibbs the focal point of the Lions’ offence.
Scoring as the RB1 last season, Gibbs still has room to grow, and with the news of the RB being more involved in the passing game, it makes you think 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving is in the range of outcomes for the explosive Gibbs.
Author: Dane Madoche(@FF_DaMaddog)
The Detroit Lions leave the playoffs disappointed and heartbroken. The upstart Washington Commanders blew through the Lions for a 45-31 upset led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Jared Goff was 23/40 for 313 passing yards. That is good to see in the stat sheet except for the fact that Goff had a 1:3 touchdown to interception ratio as well as losing a fumble. With 4 turnovers and the Commanders converting 4th downs and turning field goal drives into touchdowns, it became difficult for the Lions to keep up.
In 2024, the Lions made it a habit of pushing other teams into shootouts. The Commanders not only matched the Lions energy, but they also were able to bring the defensive energy winning the turnover battle. The Lions were 9.5 point favorites and end their season with a 14 point loss.
Jared Goff finished 2024 as the QB-8 and is ranked 20th in our dynasty quarterback rankings just behind Baker Mayfield. Goff will continue to be a safe QB-2 in superflex formats as he is buoyed by formidable talent in Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Sam LaPorta, David Montgomery, and the uber-talented Jahmyr Gibbs.
Jeremiah Retzlaff, @coachretzlaff1
